OPINION/COLUMN
Six of my interim study requests were approved this year, and I am now meeting with individuals, organizations and state agencies to prepare for each one.
Interim studies give lawmakers time to examine complex issues in greater detail with community members and stakeholders to determine whether legislative action is needed.
Two of my studies were requested by the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) Board, which House Speaker Kyle Hilbert appointed me to serve on. The SAFE Board oversees policies and procedures for sexual assault forensic evidence kits in Oklahoma.
My interim study topics include:
• .Methods of Dealing with Continued Delays in the Chain of Custody and Testing of Sexual Assault Kits and Storage of Non-Reported Kits
• Identify Legal and Policy Gaps, Clarify Stakeholder Roles, and Assess Changes to Improve Victim Services and Response Systems
• Preparing Incarcerated Mothers for Discharge and Family Reunification
• Advancing Diabetes Prevention and Steps to Address Obesity Treatments
• Abandoned Medical Marijuana Grows and Project Management
• Government-Provided Meals and Best Nutritional Practices These studies address very different subjects, but they share the common purpose of finding practical ways to better serve Oklahomans.
Also, I want to discuss the recent primary runoff election held on August 25. More voters participated in this year’s runoff than the last time Oklahoma held a primary runoff for Governor in 2018, but a significant number of registered voters still did not cast a ballot.
According to numbers provided by the Oklahoma State Election Board, only 22% of registered voters participated. What is even more important to note is that the Republican runoff for Governor between Mike Mazzei and Gentner Drummond was decided by only 2,047 votes.
To put it in perspective, if just one or two additional people in every precinct had voted, the outcome could have been different. When people say your vote matters, this election shows that it truly does.
I hope everyone will vote on November 3 for the Oklahoma General Election. There will be several state questions, statewide offices and the Governor’s race on the ballot. October 9 is the deadline to register to vote or update your registration before the election.
The good news is that the Oklahoma State Election Board makes the process easy, and it can be completed online. Visit the Oklahoma Voter Portal at okvoterportal.okelections. gov to register or make changes to your information.
I hope you all enjoy these final days before we head into the “ber” months of September, October, November and December, or as I like to call them, football season. Go Pokes! Please know that I pray for our district daily, and I am always here if you have a question or concern.
You can email me at cynthia.roe@okhouse.gov, or you can call my office at (405) 557-7365.
Thank you for letting me be your voice at the Capitol!
Rep. Cynthia Roe, a Republican, represents House District 42 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Her district includes portions of Cleveland, Garvin and McClain counties.
